Mississippi State ‘D’ facing severe test

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State’s first-year Coach Joe Moorhead has developed a routine during his weekly news conference: He introduces the next opponent and then talks in length about the matchup.

This week’s subject was No. 1 Alabama.

“Obviously, a lot of this goes without saying,” Moorhead said with a hint of a grin. “But we will go through the process anyways.”

Spoiler alert: Moorhead has a high opinion of the top-ranked Tide.

Mississippi State (6-3, 2-3 SEC) is the latest team that will try to slow down Alabama (9-0, 6-0), which has won all nine of its games by at least 22 points. If the Bulldogs have any hope at pulling off of pulling off an upset, it will likely have to start with a defense that’s been among the best in the country all season.

“You don’t have to play a perfect game, but got to be darn near close,” Moorhead said. “You’ve got to be in that range, because they’re not going to beat themselves and they’re very well coached.”

Mississippi State is giving up 12.3 points per game and has allowed nine offensive touchdowns this season, the fewest in the nation. The Bulldogs have allowed two touchdowns over their opponents’ past 51 possessions.

The group is anchored by the defensive line, which includes defensive end Montez Sweat and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Sweat has 12 tackles for a loss, including 9½ sacks, while Simmons is fourth on the team with 42 tackles, including 9½ for a loss and also has 5 quarterback hurries.

While Mississippi State’s offense has been a work in progress — and mostly responsible for the team’s three losses — the defense has been a steady force. The Bulldogs have given up less than 14 points in seven different games this season, which also leads the nation.

“Every year I’ve been here, they’ve had a really tough defensive line, tough front seven,” Alabama running back Damien Harris said. “We don’t expect anything to be any different this year.”